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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 12, 2024 17:06:35 GMT
The cover of Japanese game magazine Marukatsu PC Engine's October 1991 features an article for Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout. As such, the magazine's mascots are dressed as Pro-Wrestlers for the occasion:  I'm definitely picking up early NJPW Big Van Vader & Road Warrior vibes. 2nd BOUT was first Fire Pro game to feature Big Van Vader.  In the PC Engine Fan Magazine (October 1992), the included artwork at the top of page 14 features illustrations of Wrestlers that resemble series staples Riki Choshu and Antonio Inoki. |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 14, 2024 8:56:03 GMT
This week, I discovered ultra-obscure Wrestler appearances in Japanese PC Engine shooter GOD PANIC SHIJO SAIKYO NO GUNDAM (which you can view on page 50 of this thread). This morning, I discovered yet another 80's Arcade Wrestling title that was only released in Japan: Bikkuri Pro-Wrestling (1988) Arcade flyer showing off three techniques: Neck Hanging Tree, Dropkick, and a Lariat.  The player controls a Ric Flair-looking character. The masked heel opponent looks like Super Strong Machine.  I'm definitely picking up Ric Flair vibes.  The title is a replica of the NWF Heavyweight Championship belt Antonio Inoki held for numerous years. A video of Bikkuri in action. |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 15, 2024 5:19:00 GMT
It's 1 AM, and I had a really rough, depression/anxiety-inducing day. Luckily, old fashioned Wrestling (and the games associated with them) always cheers me up. Anywho, here's an arcade flyer for Taito's Champion Wrestler from 1989.   The westernized artwork was playing it on the safe side using generic Wrestlers. Though, if I were to guess, the generic Wrestler performing the backdrop looks like Riki Choshu. The masked opponent is a tougher fit to figure out. Could he have been based on The Destroyer? Or how about a copyright-friendly version of Mil Mascaras/El Canek? As localized ports of older games often went with manlier cover art, it's hard to say. Also, notice the typo for 'Tatio Corp' in the bottom right corner? Next up, we're going to take another look at Pro-Wrestling on the Sega Master System. The following illustrations are found in Wrestling's instruction manual:  The Mad Soldiers are based on The Road Warriors.  Next up is the Orient Express tag team. For years, I thought the Wrestler Dragonfly was based on Riki Choshu or Antonio Inoki, but now I am reminded of Jimmy Superfly Snuka's early 80's tag team with Bruiser Brody. Though, this is just a theory. Giant Bull is based on Bruiser Brody.  With their flying crosschops and intricate mask designs, I always believed the Great Maskmen were based on Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras. Both masked men using weapons could also be a subtle nod to masked heel tag team The Gaspar Brothers; whom terrorized NJPW in the 1980's.  The Crush Brothers are based on Stan Hansen & Ric Flair. Having Stan and Bruiser split into different teams may throw off the casual gamer; but us Pro-Wrestling diehards know better. |
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Post by Just A Survivor on Jun 15, 2024 20:35:16 GMT
With their flying crosschops and intricate mask designs, I always believed the Great Maskmen were based on Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras. Both masked men using weapons could also be a subtle nod to masked heel tag team The Gaspar Brothers; whom terrorized
NJPW in the 1980's.
Green Mask kind of reminds me of Fishman, while Stone Head sort of resembles The Destroyer ![]() ![]() |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 15, 2024 20:46:10 GMT
You could be right, Survivor. Fishman also had frequent stints in Japan. Here's a magazine ad from 1986 advertising Tag Team Wrestling and Dig Dug II's Famicom releases.
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 16, 2024 4:27:21 GMT
The following magazine ad from 1994 is promoting the ill-received WCW SuperBrawl Wrestling on the SNES. Fans of early WCW may recognize Sting's famous opponent in the ad:  The opponent in the red pants is none other than The Great Muta; a Wrestler who didn't appear in SuperBrawl Wrestling. The reason? Muta had already left the WCW four years prior. As cool as it would have been to have Muta officially featured in a WCW video game, the experience would have been a sour one with SuperBrawl Wrestling involved. |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 16, 2024 15:50:45 GMT
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 17, 2024 15:55:40 GMT
37 years after his passing, Rikidozan made his first official appearance in a video game. Here's an ad for All Star Pro-Wrestling from 2000:  The following ad is for obscure 2D Wrestling game Funaki Masakatsu Hybrid Wrestler from 1994:  As far as Wrestling games go, I really do consider Hybrid Wrestler one of the hidden gems of the Super Famicom. Look-alike cast of Wrestlers, easy to pickup controls, interesting battlefields with their own unique hazards, and a story campaign complete with it's own create a Wrestler mode. Even if you aren't a Pro-Wrestling diehard, I'd still warrant giving Hybrid Wrestler a try as a 2D fighter/party game. |
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Post by Staubhold on Jun 18, 2024 6:06:10 GMT
37 years after his passing, Rikidozan made his first official appearance in a video game. Here's an ad for All Star Pro-Wrestling from 2000: The entrance for him is so over the top, I love it! He descends from the heavens. |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 18, 2024 7:43:12 GMT
Years ago, I remember playing through the first Super Fire Pro-Wrestling. In the early Fire Pro titles, players had to beat the entire roster twice to get the true ending.
Fans often refer to the second playthrough of the early Fire Pro titles as 'hard mode' ...and for good reason. Now crowned Heavyweight Champ from the first go-around, the entire roster is out for revenge ...and you're now public enemy no. 1.
As such, the game ramps up the difficulty significantly.
Completing the singles division of SFPW's hard mode unlocks a fight with Rikidozan. To honor the occasion, Rikidozan is
given his first actual theme song - and it's the most chilling track in the game (BGM 11); as if 'the father of Puroresu' had
returned from the grave for this special encounter.
Truly the definition of a dream match.
The tune evokes sadness, but also strength. There's certainly a legendary vibe to the track fitting for a Wrestler of Rikidozan's
stature.
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 18, 2024 20:37:02 GMT
Submitted below is probably the most threatening Wrestling ad ever created. The ad features the cover art of Power Move Pro-Wrestling - along with two recognizable Wrestlers: Great Muta and Power Warrior performing a body slam. Yet, both Wrestlers appear under different names in-game. Why is that?  Short answer: to avoid paying additional licensing fees to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Essentially, Power Move is a localized port of NJPW's 1996 3D Wrestling title Toukon Retsuden for the PS1, with all of the Wrestlers re-coloured and renamed. Reading the bottom of the ad, Activision welcomes us to get our necks broken or backs cracked if we visit their website. I think I'm good, thank you... |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 19, 2024 6:09:44 GMT
Wrestling Empire's latest free update features brand new edit pieces for use with your CAWs.  The turban can be used to create Tiger Jeet Singh, Jinder Mahal or Tiger Ali Singh. The headdress - Chief Jay Strongbow, Chief Wahoo McDaniel, Tatanka, Jay Youngblood, etc. Graduation hat - The Professor . Chef Hat - Pastmania, anyone? Hard hat - Shockmaster's unmasked gimmick, Steven Regal, or Hulk Hogan as he appeared in the music video for Piledriver.  The viking helmet - The Berserker Straw hat - Hakushi/Jinsei Shinzaki Army helmet - DX, Dudley Boys, Sgt. Slaughter Crown - Macho King, King Haku, King Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jerry Lawler, King Harley Race, King Booker, etc... Neck brace - Vince McMahon  The winter attires - I'm definitely picking up South Park vibes. If you want to be really obscure, you could use the motorcycle helmet for Keiji Mutoh's early NJPW Space Lone Wolf gimmick.  The sailor's hat - perfect for Tugboat. Raised shades - Rick the model Martel, anyone? |
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 22, 2024 16:25:54 GMT
A brand new character has been added to 80's Mania Wrestling:  Bullwhip Bart is based on Blackjack Mulligan. As for today's throwback, here is a magazine advertisement for Pro-Wrestling (known as 'HAL Wrestling' outside of Japan) from 1990:  The ad uses the actual cover art for Pro-Wrestling, which features a scene of Akira Maeda vs Big Van Vader. In the background, you can see Vader's tag partner Road Warrior Animal, with a referee that looks like famous All Japan mainstay Jo Higuchi.
In the bottom right corner is an advertisement for Chachamaru's Game Boy title; an adventure game starring
one of the original Fire Pro creators and HUMAN staff members.
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Post by Shadow Master on Jun 22, 2024 22:17:08 GMT
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Post by Just A Survivor on Jun 23, 2024 0:11:18 GMT
A brand new character has been added to 80's Mania Wrestling: Bullwhip Bart is based on Blackjack Mulligan. Actually, Bart is based off of Stan Hansen. Here's some evidence: Bullwhip Bart's height and weight is closer to Hansen's than Mulligan's Bullwhip Bart: 6'4" 320 lbs Stan Hansen: 6'4" 321 lbs Blackjack Mulligan: 6'9" 300 lbs In addition, Bullwhip Bart's tag teams and feuds have parallels to those of Hansen's No Nonsense (w/Otto Thompson) = Stan Hansen & Ole Anderson Ragin' Gaijins (w/Jordy Hoss) = Fuchin Gyorai (Stan Hansen & Terry Gordy) Breakneck Pace (vs. Gepetto Rocco): Based off Hansen's feud with Bruno Sammartino. In their first match for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden on April 26, 1976, Hansen famously broke Bruno's neck. Fight Series (vs. Enormous Pierre): Based off Hansen's feud with Andre the Giant. One of Hansen's one-on-one matches with Andre was on Day 29 of NJPW's 1981 Bloody Fight Series, held on September 23 at Denen Coliseum in Tokyo. Summer Action (vs. Natsukashi): Based off Hansen's feud with Kenta Kobashi. From 1990 to 1996, Hansen and Kobashi had four singles matches at AJPW's Summer Action Series in July and two at Summer Action Series II in September. Eye Will Survive (vs. Big Bad Doctor): Based off Hansen's feud with Big Van Vader. At NJPW Super Fight in Tokyo Dome on February 10th, 1990, Hansen famously hit Vader so hard that his eye popped out of the socket. |
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